Description
Manohar Publishers and Distributors The Mirror of Gesture Being the Abhinaya Darpana of Nandikesvara by Ananda K Coomaraswamy And Gopala Kristnayya Duggirala (Trans )
The Mirror of Gesture is an English translation of the Sanskrit text on dance, Abhinaya Darpana by Nandikeshvara, an exponent of theatre in ancient India. It is an abridged version of Bharatarnava, which is an exposition of classical Indian dance. This treatise is based upon the principles of Indian theatre: natya, nritta, and nritya sastras. Abhinaya Darpana contains 4,000 slokas and an exposition of classical Indian dance, theatre, and music. The date of this treatise goes back to the fifth and fourth centuries bc. It was Nandikeshwara, who had much influence on popular dance exponents, such as Bharatamuni, the author of Natyasastra (second century bc), and Matangamuni, the author of Brihadeshi (fifth century bc). In this English translation, forms of posture used in Indian dance and theatre, such as head movements, mudras made by hands along with its interpretation, invocation to nine planets in the universe, veneration of ten Vishnu’s incarnations, four castes, upper and lower worlds, and living and non-living beings on Earth are discussed. This book will benefit scholars and researchers interested in Indian theatre, art, and dance. About the Author Ananda K. Coomaraswamy (22 August 1877–9 September 1947) is a Ceylon-based metaphysician, historian, theorist, and philosopher of Indian art. He brought the Indian tradition of art into the western world. He was also seen as the bridge-maker between western and Indian art and philosophy, as he was much inspired by Hindu and Greco-Roman traditions. His works were influenced by the Traditionalist and Perennial Schools of Philosophy. He authored several books which were based on the traditional arts, metaphysics, and social criticism. He was also the curator of Indian art at the Boston Museum of Fine Arts. Gopala Kristnayya (Krishnayya) Duggirala (2 June 1889–10 June 1928) was a freedom fighter and a member of the Indian National Congress and later, Swarajya Party from Andhra Pradesh. He was a poet, speaker, songwriter, philosopher, and singer. He was influenced by Annie Besant’s Home Rule Movement and led an anti-tax agitation at Chirala and formed Rama Dandu for the cause of Swaraj. He was a polyglot and also set up a literary society Andhra Vidya Peetha Gosthi.